Testing & Diagnosis for Vascular Malformations, Tumors, and Hemangiomas in Children

Contact the Vascular Anomalies Center

For all vascular anomalies, your child's physician will perform a careful medical history and physical examination.

Most hemangiomas are easily identified without any diagnostic testing. Deeper lesions may require the following diagnostic tests to evaluate the extent of the hemangioma:

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) - a diagnostic procedure that uses
a combination of large magnets, radiofrequencies, and a computer to
produce detailed images of organs and structures within the body.

Often times vascular anomalies are not found until they hemorrhage. If your physician suspects a vascular anomaly, particularly an AVM, they may perform the following diagnostic tests:

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

• Computerized tomography scan (Also called a CT or CAT scan.) - a diagnostic imaging procedure that uses a
combination of x-rays and computer technology to produce cross-sectional images (often called slices), both
horizontally and vertically, of the body. A CT scan shows detailed images of any part of the body, including the
bones, muscles, fat, and organs. CT scans are more detailed than general x-rays.

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